Alan Zhao, Co-Founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS: Promoting 'Belt and Road' through Chinese Brands in Southeast Asia

Industry Insight by 2FIRSTS
Dec.25.2023
Alan Zhao, Co-Founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS: Promoting 'Belt and Road' through Chinese Brands in Southeast Asia
Yunnan University of Finance and Economics hosts academic forum on promoting Chinese brands in Southeast Asian countries.

An academic forum themed "Promoting 'Belt and Road' through International Spread of Chinese Brands in Southeast Asian Countries" was successfully held at Yunnan University of Finance and Economics on December 16, 2023. The media and art school of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming National Advertising Industrial Park, and Yunnan Radio and Television International jointly organized the forum.

Alan Zhao, Co-Founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS: Promoting 'Belt and Road' through Chinese Brands in Southeast Asia
Forum Opening Ceremony | Image Source: School of Media and Design Arts, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics

The forum consisted of one main forum and two parallel forums, featuring 16 academic shares delivered by more than 70 experts and scholars. It focused on pioneering topics in news dissemination and fields of cultural exchange and cooperation in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries under the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

Alan Zhao, Co-Founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS: Promoting 'Belt and Road' through Chinese Brands in Southeast Asia
Mr. Alan Zhao, co-founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS, gave a keynote speech | Image source: 2FIRSTS

2FIRSTS co-founder and CEO, Mr. Alan Zhao, was invited as an international media representative and delivered a speech on "Opportunities and Challenges of Chinese Brands Expanding into Southeast Asia." He analyzed the current situation, opportunities, and challenges in the Southeast Asian market and provided strategic recommendations.

 

Mr. Zhao believes that Chinese brands still dominate the Southeast Asian market due to the low tariffs and trade barriers and controllable costs, which offer brands a shorter supply chain feedback mechanism. He also pointed out that compared to western firms, Chinese brands find it easier to create a sense of brand identity and convey brand value in the Southeast Asian market.

 

Alan Zhao, Co-Founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS: Promoting 'Belt and Road' through Chinese Brands in Southeast Asia
Mr. Alan Zhao, co-founder and CEO of 2FIRSTS, gave a keynote speech | Image source: 2FIRSTS

 

He appealed to Chinese firms to devise Southeast Asian brand communication strategies from a global perspective and leverage the strategic location of Southeast Asia in the Belt and Road Initiative. He also urged respect for local customs and cultures and adherence to ethical standards while promoting high-quality development. His insightful analysis of the opportunities and challenges for Chinese brands in the Southeast Asian market received widespread attention and strong agreement from the audience.

 

About 2FIRSTS

 

Established in 2022, 2FIRSTS is a globally renowned media platform dedicated to the vaporization technology industry. It holds news centers in places like Shenzhen, London, and New York, providing global news and insights to regulators, supply chains, brands, researchers, and industry organizations. It covers various exhibitions globally with over ten live reports a year, and is a media partner of major global exhibitions.

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Philippine NBI Seizes $150,000 Worth of Illegal E-Cigarettes, Arrests 5 Suspects
Philippine NBI Seizes $150,000 Worth of Illegal E-Cigarettes, Arrests 5 Suspects
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has cracked down on an illegal e-cigarette sales operation in Manila, arresting five suspects for selling unregistered products via social media. Authorities seized more than 25,000 e-cigarette items valued at over $150,000.
Jul.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea’s KT&G Faces Mounting Cost Pressures: Imported Tobacco Leaf Prices Double in Four Years, Surpass Domestic Leaves for the First Time in 16 Years
South Korea’s KT&G Faces Mounting Cost Pressures: Imported Tobacco Leaf Prices Double in Four Years, Surpass Domestic Leaves for the First Time in 16 Years
South Korea’s KT&G, which relies on imported tobacco leaves for about 84% of its production, is under growing pressure as global leaf tobacco prices soar. In the first half of 2024, KT&G’s purchase price for imported tobacco leaves rose 8.4% year-on-year to KRW 11,000 per kg, surpassing domestic leaf prices for the first time in 16 years. Price hikes in Brazil and India are cited as the main drivers. KT&G plans to expand global production bases and cut processing costs to manage rising expenses.
Aug.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australian Government-Funded Vaping Education Program Featured in The Lancet: Student Vaping Rates Drop by 65%
Australian Government-Funded Vaping Education Program Featured in The Lancet: Student Vaping Rates Drop by 65%
Australia’s “OurFutures” vaping education program cut student vaping rates by 65% after 12 months, according to a trial of 5,000 students across 40 schools. Published in The Lancet, it is the first proven effective school-based e-health intervention in Australia. The program will be expanded through 2028, with long-term data expected in 2026.
Jul.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Extends Tax Break for Heated Tobacco Products, Sparking Controversy as PMI Emerges as Main Beneficiary
New Zealand Extends Tax Break for Heated Tobacco Products, Sparking Controversy as PMI Emerges as Main Beneficiary
New Zealand has extended a tax break for Philip Morris’s heated tobacco products until July 2027, despite health experts’ concerns. Critics warn the move could harm public health and cost the government over NZ$300 million.
Jul.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Derbyshire,UK officials seize nearly 2500 illegal disposable e-cigarettes
Derbyshire,UK officials seize nearly 2500 illegal disposable e-cigarettes
UK's Derbyshire county enforces e-cigarette ban, seizing 2418 illicit products, with retailers unaware, intentionally flouting law, or selling old stock.
Aug.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Nicotine Company Chill Brands Posts £164,000 Half-Year Revenue, Shuts U.S. Subsidiary to Focus on Distribution
UK Nicotine Company Chill Brands Posts £164,000 Half-Year Revenue, Shuts U.S. Subsidiary to Focus on Distribution
Chill Brands H1 revenue fell 90% to $210,000, with a $3.1M operating loss tied to governance issues and one-off legal costs. The company exited the U.S., regained chill.com in Dec 2024, launched its Chill Connect platform, and raised £1M ($1.35M) via convertible debt in Apr 2025.
Jul.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai